By Emmanuel T. Erediano
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
SUPER Typhoon Sinlaku destroyed houses, flooded villages, caused a sinkhole, knocked down power poles, uprooted trees and farm crops, and left the islands without power and water.
Chalan Kanoa and Susupe were submerged in four to six feet of floodwater, leaving many residents trapped on their roofs.
In an interview, Rep. John Paul Sablan said these villages sit on wetland areas, which is why residents there often experience severe flooding during typhoons.
“We are in the middle of the ocean and wetlands, so it’s very vulnerable to flooding,” he said.
He said Super Typhoon Sinlaku brought “a great load of water that flooded our areas.”
Nonetheless, he urged residents of Precinct 2 to remain patient and calm, noting that Federal Emergency Management Agency personnel and other federal agencies are expected to arrive soon to provide assistance.
“We are hoping for assistance at an earlier stage,” he said.
Sablan said the situation has become very frustrating for many in the CNMI but urged everyone to “move forward together and help each other.”
Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas “RB” Camacho said essential equipment for rescue and recovery had to be transported by helicopter on Saturday due to a sinkhole along a portion of Kagman Road downhill from the Mobil Oil Station. Personnel from the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Public Works were seen in the area guiding motorists to safety.
“Super Typhoon Sinlaku was powerful and it moved at 3 miles per hour, so it lingered for days. That’s the reason we have major damage in the community,” the mayor said.
He called on residents to work together.
“We know, I know, that everybody is suffering. Let’s not add more problems. Let’s help each other. Everybody is facing this problem. Nobody is exempted,” he said.
According to House Floor Leader Marissa Flores, there was a looting incident in Precinct 3, with a business establishment suffering significant losses.
“I can’t stress enough how unfortunate it is for people to go around looting. I don’t know who did it, but anyone who steals or commits crimes during this time will be held accountable and face justice through DPS and the courts,” she said.
Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, Vice Speaker Diego Vincent Camacho, Floor Leader Flores, and other members of the House of Representatives, during an emergency session Saturday, expressed gratitude to those who risked their safety to help others. They thanked first responders from the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, the Department of Public Safety, healthcare workers from the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., volunteers, the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management/Emergency Operations Center, the Saipan Mayor’s Office, the Northern Islands Mayor’s Office, gas station attendants, and stores, which included Saipan Ice & Water, that remained open.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
